[Southack]

The "Pope Benedict" name has an interesting history for today, as the previous Pope Benedict attempted to mediate an end to the horrors of the stalemated trench warfare of the First World War that killed an entire generation of French, British, Germans, and Russians.

A war that was only able to be ended by a mobile American Army, going all the way over to Europe to do what the Europeans themselves could not.

So such a Pope's name recognizes the current global war on terror, America's role, and what part the Church should play.

[ValenB4]

That is not true at all. World War I would have ended on its own had we stayed out. Wilson entering that war was the biggest mistake of the 20th century.

[GlockGrrl]

"So such a Pope's name recognizes the current global war on terror, America's role, and what part the Church should play.

Re your post on the choice of Benedict: I saw other symbolism in his choice of that particular name. Benedict XV came after Pius X, a major traditionalist whose papacy was long and distinguished. I looked at the choice of the name as wanting to tell the Church that he's not a JPII clone (not choosing to be JPIII) and as saying he'll want his papacy to be known for peacemaking efforts. Or at least I'm trying to think positive about this...